How to Protect Hollies, Rhododendrons and Evergreens from Winter Burn

Cold weather is hard on your landscape! Heavy snow and ice cause many problems. But, did you know that cold wind can be just as devastating to your trees and shrubs? Learn how to protect Hollies, Rhododendrons and Evergreens from Winter Burn with tips from Giroud!

Evergreens are inclined to dry out in cold winds

Cold wind can suck the moisture from the leaves and needles on your evergreens. Pines, Cypress, Firs, Junipers and Hemlocks are all popular trees because they keep your landscape looking green all year long. But, according to the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, “Many evergreens are seriously injured when planted in excessively windy locations. Since these plants retain a covering of foliage during the winter, they continue to lose moisture even after deciduous plants drop their leaves. It is this moisture loss that causes problems.”

Check out the how cold weather damages Evergreens in this video:

Rhododendron have delicate root systems that are vulnerable to hard frosts and winter burn

Rhododendron, especially the Azalea variety, can dry out quickly in a hard frost. If you enjoy these flowering shrubs in the spring, you will need to protect them now before cold weather sets in.

“As the ground freezes, the plants can’t take up moisture, so they start using moisture in the leaves,” explains ISA Certified Giroud Arborist, Rob Nagy. “If they use too much moisture, they start to decline; and in some cases, they will die.”

Check out the devastating effects of winter burn on a Rhododendron in this video: